Nikora named assistant coach of Heartland XV

Poverty Bay head coach Miah Nikora during a Heartland training session during a five day campaign in Taupō in 2021 as a coach observer. Nikora has been appointed assistant coach of the Heartland XV team for this year’s November’s clashes with Canterbury Development and New Zealand Barbarians. Picture supplied

Miah Nikora has gone from strength to strength in a rugby coaching career that continues to scale new heights.

New Zealand Rugby has announced that Nikora will be assistant coach of the Heartland XV squad, with South Canterbury’s Nigel Walsh as head coach.

Nikora became head coach of the Civil Project Solutions Poverty Bay Wekas in 2022. His efforts to create a new team culture in the Heartland representative squad have made an impression among union members and the wider rugby community.

As a player, Nikora was a left-footed first five-eighth who played for Taranaki in 2006, Wellington in 2007 and Tasman in 2008.

Nikora played for Connacht in Ireland for five seasons before moving to play for Petrarca Padova Rugby in Italy’s Super 10 competition for two seasons.

Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union chief executive Ray Noble says that sometimes local rugby people take for granted how good Nikora is, and that he’s in Gisborne.

“I’m really proud of Miah; he’s a real boost for our union,” Noble said.

“His progress aligns with what I believe we are here for, and that is to put people through higher honours.

“I believe our Heartland squad provides a platform for our guys to strive to get to the NPC (National Provincial Championship), which puts them on the Super (Super Rugby Championship) pathway and then on to the All Blacks.

“When we get players promoted to the NPC, that gives me a real sense of satisfaction. It’s no different for coaching.

“We provide the environment for Miah to coach and we play a part in his development, and now he is going on to higher honours.”

Noble says the fact that Nikora comes from a high-performance background gives him good context, and because he hasn’t been out of the game as a player for that long he is “technically and tactically proficient”.

Former Poverty Bay head coach Tom Cairns says he sees himself not as a “mentor” but as a friend to Nikora.

“Miah is a very good coach in his own right,” Cairns said.

“He’s a guy who puts a lot of time and effort into his coaching. He runs a really good culture within his team.”

Cairns said a big contributor to Nikora’s success with the players was that he really looked into the details of the game.

“One big thing for me is his loyalty to his players,” Cairns said.

“We are one of the few regions using Gisborne boys (local club players). Nobody else uses their local club players to the extent Miah does, and the guys he picks are players of origin (players with Poverty Bay club rugby connection).

“It’s a really good chance for him to develop, too, and go on to further opportunities.

“I think it (his Heartland appointment) is well deserved.”

Nikora sees it as an honour and is proud to be named assistant coach.

“I know the role will be a massive challenge and that’s something I am looking forward to,” Nikora said.

“I am always looking to better myself and challenge myself.

“Second-year coach now of Poverty Bay . . . I see this as another step up in that challenge and I am really looking forward to working with the cream of the crop within the Heartland provinces.”

Nikora’s experience playing in different parts of the world gives him knowledge to pass on.

“There is a lot of challenge out there,” Nikora said. “I can only do my best and try to pass on as much as I know, but at the same time I can also take in what players know. It all helps build a positive campaign environment for the team.”

The Heartland XV squad will be announced after Week 8 of the Heartland Championship. Their first fixture will be against Canterbury Development in Methven, Canterbury, on November 1. They then travel to Oamaru to play the New Zealand Barbarians on November 4.